Relay



Patented Mar. 2, 1943 RELAY Hans Sengebusch, Villa Park, Ill., assignor to Associated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application December 26, 1940, Serial No. 371,625

(Cl. 20G-104) 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to relays and more particularly to electromagnetic relays of the gang type.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in an electromagnetic relay of the gang type, an improved switch spring arrangement which is extremely compact and which appreciably increases the switching capacity thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved relay oi the type noted which is of rugged and economical construction and which is reliable and positive in operation.

In brief, the objects set forth above are realized in accordance with the present invention by providing an electromagnetic relay comprising a field structure, a movable armature, two longitudinally extending plates carried by the eld structure and arranged in laterally spaced-apart relation, two longitudinally extending rows of switch springs arranged between the two plates in laterally spaced-apart relation, the individual switch springs in the two rows of switch springs being anchored adjacent their base ends to adjacent ones of the two plates, and an actuating bar disposed between the two rows of switch springs and provided with two longitudinally extending series of notches therein arranged in laterally spaced-apart relation, the individual notches in the two series receiving the individual switch springs in adjacent ones of the two rows of switch springs at points disposed between the base ends and the free ends thereof, whereby the individual switch springs in the two rows of switch springs are flexed when the actuating bar is moved. Also, the relay comprises two longitudinally extending rows of contacts arranged between the two plates in laterally spaced-apart relation, the individual contacts in the two rows of contacts being anchored to adjacent ones of the two plates and cooperating with the individual switch springs in adjacent ones of the two rows of switch springs, whereby the free ends of the individual switch springs in the two rows of switch springs are moved in switching relation with respect to the individual contacts in adjacent ones of the two rows of contacts when the individual switch springs in the two rows of switch springs are flexed. Finally,

the relay .comprises an operative connection beboth as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan View of an electromagnetic relay of the gang type constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the relay shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the relay shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawing, the electromagnetic relay there shown is of the gangtype and comprises a core IIJ carrying a winding I I and a field element I2, the eld element I2 being secured to the core Il) by a screw I3. Also, the relay comprises an armature I4 pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin I5, the pivot pin I5 being carried by a bracket I6 secured to the field element I2 adjacent the outer end thereof by two screws I 1, whereby the armature I4 is supported in cooperating relation with respect to the core IEI.

The fleld element-l I2 carries two longitudinally extending plates I8 and I9 arranged in laterally spaced-apart relation, the inner ends of the plates I8 and I9 being respectively secured to the opposite sides of the eld element I2 by two sets' of screws 2U and 2|. The outer ends of the plates I8 and I9 are retained in laterally spacedapart relation by an end member 22 extending therebetween and respectively secured thereto by two screws 23 and 24. The field element I2 comprises a base I2a constituting a foot; while the end member 22 comprises a base 22a constituting a foot; whereby the relay as a whole may be readily mounted upon associated supporting structure utilizing the feet I2a, and 22a.

Also, the relay comprises two longitudinally extending rows of switch springs 25 and 26 arranged between the two plates I8 and I9 in laterally spaced-apart relation, the individual switch springs 25a and 26a respectively arranged in the two rows of switch springs 25 and 2G being anchored adjacent their base ends to adjacent ones of the plates I8 and I9, respectively. More particularly, the individual switch springs 25a in the row of switch springs 25 are anchored adjacent their base ends to the adjacent plate IB by an arrangement comprising an insulating strip 21a suitably secured to the plate I8, the switch springs 25a being embedded in suitable recesses provided in the insulating strip 21a; similarly, the individual switch springs 26a in the row of switch springs 25 are anchored adjacent their base ends to the adjacent plate I9 by an arrangement comprising an insulating Further, the relay comprises two longitudinal-Il ly extending rows of contact springs 28 and 291 arranged between the two plates I8 and I9 in laterally spaced-apart relation, the row of contact springs 28 being arranged between the plate IS and the row of switch springs 25 and the row of contact springs 29 being arranged between the plate I9 and the row of switch springs 26. The individual contact springs 28a and 29a respectively arranged in the two rows of contact springs 28 and 29 are anchored adjacent their ibase ends to adjacent ones of the plates I8 and I9, respectively. More particularly, the individual contact springs 28a in the row of contact springs 28 are anchored adjacent their base ends to the adjacent plate I8 by an arrangement comprising the insulating strip 21a, the contact springs 29a being embedded in suitable recesses provided in the insulating strip 21a; similarly, the individual contact springs 29a, in the row of contact springs 29 are anchored adjacent their base ends to the adjacent plate I9 by an arrangement comprising the insulating strip 21h, the contact springs 29a being embedded in suitable recesses provided in the insulating strip 2lb. Preferably, the individual switch springs 25a. in the row of switch springs 25 and the individual contact springs 28a in the row of contact springs 28 are embedded in the recesses provided in the insulating strip 21a, in interposed relation out oi' contact with respect to each other; similarly, the individual switch springs 26a in the row of switch springs 26 and the individual contact springs 29a in the row of contact springs 29 are embedded in the recesses provided in the insulating strip 2lb, in interposed relation out of contact with respect to each other. Each of the contact springs 28a is provided with a base end 2827 constituting an electrical terminal and a head 28o providing an electrical contact; similarly, each of the contact springs 29a is provided with a base end 29h. constituting an electrical terminal and a head 29o providingan electrical contact.

The heads 28o of the individual contact springs 28a in the row of contact springs 23 are retained in fixed spaced-apart relation by an arrangement comprising a longitudinally extending insulating strip 36, the insulating strip 39 being provided with a plurality of spacedapart slots receiving the heads 28e. The strip 36 is rigidly secured to the plate I8 by an arrangement comprising two screws 3I, the strip 36 being spaced from the plate I8 by two collars 32 surrounding the screws 3l and disposed between the plate I8 and the insulating strip 30. The heads 29e of the individual contact springs 23a, in the row of contact springs 29 are retained in iiXed spaced-apart relation by an arrangement comprising a longitudinally extending insulating strip 33, the insulating strip 33 being provided with a plurality of spaced-apart slots receiving the heads 29e. The strip 33 is rigide ly secured to the plate I9 by an arrangement comprising two screws 34, the strip 33 being spaced from the plate I9 by two collars 35 surrounding the screws 34 and disposed between the plate I9 and the insulating strip 33.

Finally, the relay comprises a longitudinally extending actuating bar 36 formed of insulating material and disposed between the two rows of switch springs 25 and 26. The actuating bar 36 is resiliently supported by an arrangement comprising two leaf springs 31 and 38; one end of the leaf spring 31 being rigidly secured to the field element I2 by a screw 39 and the other end of the leaf spring 31 being provided with a tab 31a projecting through an opening provided in the inner end of the actuating bar 36, one end ofthe leaf spring 38 being rigidly secured to the end member 22 by a screw 49 and the other end of the leaf spring 38 being provided with a tab 38a projecting through an opening provided in the outer end of the actuating bar 36. 'I'he actuating bar 36 is provided with two longitudinally extending series of notches 4I and 42 therein arranged in laterally spaced-apart relation, the series oi notches 4I and 42 being provided in opposite sides ofthe actuating bar 36. The individual notches in the series of notches 4I receive the individual switch springs 25a, in the row of switch springs 25; while the individual notches in the series of notches 42 receive the individual switch springs 26a in the row of switch springs 26. Y

Finally, the relay comprises a rst set of offnormal springs 50 and a second set of olf-normal springs 5I, the set of off-normal springs 50 being secured to the end member 22 by an arrangement comprising a plate 53 and two screws 54, and the set of switch springs 5I being secured to the end member 22 by an arrangement comprising a plate 55 and two screws 56. The individual switch springs in the set of switch springs 56 are insulated from each other and from the end member 22 by a plurality of interposed strips of insulation 51; while the individual switch springs in the set of switch springs 5I are insulated from each other and from the end member 22 by a plurality of interposed strips of insulation 58. The two sets of switch springs 50 and 5I are operatively associated with the outer end of the actuating bar 36.

The armature I4 is provided with a eld arm I4a cooperating with the core I0 and the field element I2 and an operating arm I4b carrying a tab I4c on the outer end thereof, the tab I4c projecting through an opening provided in the inner end of the actuating bar 36. Finally, the operating arm Ilib` of the armature I4 carries a nut and screw arrangement 43 which cooperartes with the eld element I2 in order to facilitate adjustment of the stroke of the armature I4.

In the operation of the relay, when the winding II is energized, the armature I4 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I5, as viewed in F'ig. 2, in an obvious manner, thereby to cause the actuating bar 36 to be moved longitudinally upon the leaf springs 31 and 38 away from the eld element I2 toward the end member 22 against the bias of the two rows of switch springs 25 and 26. Conversely, when the winding I I is deenergized, the actuating bar 36 ismoved longitudinally upon the leaf springs 31 and 38 away from the end member 22 toward the iield element I2 due to the bias of the two rows of switch springs 25 and 26, thereby to cause the armature I4 to be rotated in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin I5. as viewed in Fig. 2. When the actuating bar 36 is thus actuated the free ends of the individual switch springs in the two rows of switch springs 25 and 26 are moved in switching relation wtih respect to the heads of the individual contact springs in the adjacent rows of contact springs 28 and 29, respectively. More particularly, in the embodiment of the relay illustrated the rows of switch springs 25 and 26 are moved into closed circuit relation with respect to the rows of contact springs 23 and 29, respectively, when the actuating bar 35 is moved longitudinally away from the field element l2 toward the end member 22, this particular switching relation of the rows of switch springs 25 and 26 with respect to the rows of contact springs 28 and 29 being determined by the normal relation therebetween, in an obvious manner. When the individual switch springs in the rows of switch springs 25 and 25 are respectively moved into closed circuit relation with respect to the individual contact springs in the two rows of contact springs 28 and 29, a wiping action is produced therebetween, thereby to insure clean electrical contacts therebetween.

Also, when the actuating bar 36 is moved longitudinally upon the leaf springs 31 and 38 away from the field element I2 toward the end member 22, the outer end thereof abutting the intermediate switch springs in the two sets oi switch springs U and 5I exes these switch springs, whereby the intermediate switch spring in each of the two sets of switch springs 50 and 5I is moved out of engagement with the associated inner switch spring and into engagement with the associated outer switch spring. Conversely, when the actuating bar 36 is moved longitudinally upon the leaf springs 31 and 3S away from the end member 22 toward the eld element I2, the intermediate switch spring in each of the two sets of switch springs 50 and 5l is moved, due to its own resiliency, out of engagement with the associated outer switch spring and into engagement with the associated inner switch spring.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A switching mechanism comprising two independent unitary side plate assemblies, two end members, and an actuating bar disposed between said side plate assemblies and said end members; each independent unitary side plate assembly comprising a flat plate, a row of passive contacts, a row of associated active switch springs, an insulating block, notches in said block for anchoring said contacts and springs at one of their ends in alternate relationship with each other, an insulating strip having notches for anchoring only said passive contacts at their other' ends, said active springs being free at their other ends, and means fastening said insulating block and said insulating strip with its anchored contacts and springs in said notches to said plate to form an independent unitary side plate assembly; means for movably mounting said actuating bar on said end members, notches in said actuating bar for engaging the free ends of said active springs whereby said springs are exed for switching relationship with their associated passive contacts when said actuating bar is moved, and means for independently mounting each unitary side plate assembly to said end members with one side plate assembly directly opposite the other side plate assembly, said last mounting means being such that either side plate assembly can be assembled to said end members and actuating bar or removed therefrom without affecting the other side plate assembly and its relationship with said actuating bar.

2. A switching mechanism comprising two independent unitary side plate assembliesy two end members, an actuating bar disposed between said side plate assemblies and said end members, an electromagnet, one of said end members comprising the field element of said electromagnet, and an armature pivotally mounted on said one member and in engagement with said actuating bar for operating said bar when said magnet is energized; each independent unitary side plate assembly comprising a flat plate, a row of passive contacts, a row of associated active switch springs, an insulating block, notches in said block for anchoring said contacts and springs at one lof their ends in alternate relationship with each other, an insulating strip having notches for anchoring only said passive contacts at their other ends, said active springs being free at their other ends, and means fastening said insulating block and said insulating strip with its anchored contacts and springs in said notches to said plate to form an independent unitary side plate assembly; means for movably mounting said actuating bar on Said end members, notches in said actuating bar for engaging the free ends of said active springs whereby said springs are flexed for switching relationship with their associated passive contacts when said actuating bar is moved, and means for independently mounting each unitary side plate assembly to said end members with one side plate assembly directly opposite the other side plate assembly, said last mounting means being such that either side plate assembly can be assembled to said end members and actuating bar or removed therefrom without affecting the other side plate assembly and its relationship with said actuating bar.

HANS SENGEBUSCH. 

